China's Didi rethinks UK plans amid regulatory pressure at home

Ride-hailer invests heavily in global expansion as domestic market matures

20210824 Didi

Didi has invested billions to expand into global markets, where it faces intense competition from the likes of Uber and Lyft. © Reuters

YIFAN YU, Nikkei staff writer

PALO ALTO, U.S. -- Didi Global is re-evaluating its plan to launch services in the U.K. amid uncertainties brought by Beijing's recent crackdown on the ride-hailing giant, according to a source familiar with the situation.

The company obtained operating licenses in several northern U.K. cities, including Manchester, Salford and Sheffield, right before China's Cyberspace Administration launched an investigation into Didi Global for allegedly breaching national security with its data management.

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